🔸Houthi: We targeted Saudi vessels near the port of Mocha

Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, said in a Telegram post on Monday, 26 Mordad (17 August) that the group attacked “a Saudi Arabian military ship and four of its escort vessels” in the Red Sea with a missile. The attack on Saudi vessels took place near the port of Mocha.

Saudi authorities have not yet confirmed the Houthis’ attack, which are supported by Iran.

The port of Mocha is located on the Red Sea coast and near the Bab al-Mandab strait; a strategic passage that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is considered one of the important shipping routes for international maritime traffic.

In July of this year, the Houthis established a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in response to what they called the “Saudi-led blockade of Yemen,” though Riyadh rejected the claim.

The internationally recognized Yemeni government said early on Saturday, 24 Mordad (15 August) that the Houthis targeted civilian infrastructure and port facilities, and that several fishing boats were also set on fire.